United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has emerged as the African category winner at the 2026 Banker Technology Awards, earning recognition for its innovations in digital payments, e-business solutions and the deployment of artificial intelligence to enhance cross-border banking services across more than 20 African countries.

The award highlights UBA’s efforts in leveraging technology to drive seamless financial transactions and strengthen digital banking operations across the continent.

According to the organisers, nearly 200 entries were received across 17 regional and product categories for this year’s awards, reflecting the increasing role of technology in transforming payments, compliance, lending and customer engagement within the global financial sector.

In its assessment of UBA’s entry, The Banker described the institution as a leading digital banking operator that has placed technology at the centre of its growth strategy across multiple markets.

The publication noted that the bank’s digital transformation efforts were particularly evident in its work on cross-border transfers through digital payments, artificial intelligence-driven customer engagement and e-business solutions.

A key factor in UBA’s recognition was the integration of Leo, its artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), enabling customers to transfer funds across African borders in local currencies through a conversational banking platform.

UBA’s Executive Director Designate for Digital Banking, Emmanuel Lamptey, who received the award on behalf of the bank, said the institution remains committed to driving full digitalisation of banking services across Africa.

“Africa’s financial future will not be built on branches or borders. It will be built on intelligence, interoperability, and trust at scale,” Lamptey said.

He explained that the bank’s investment in Leo was aimed at addressing the longstanding challenges of slow and expensive cross-border payments across the continent.

“Across a continent where cross-border transfers have historically been slow and costly, Leo reduces friction at the point of transaction, removing reliance on traditional banking channels without requiring customers to change how they communicate,” he added.

Meanwhile, UBA has announced the relaunch of its RedApp mobile banking platform following a major upgrade designed to improve customers’ digital banking experience across its markets.

The revamped application offers a faster and more user-friendly interface, providing customers with easier access to banking services and transactions.

Speaking on the relaunch, UBA’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, said the upgraded platform reflects the bank’s commitment to continuously improving digital service delivery.

“At UBA, we are constantly raising the bar on what digital banking should feel like. The new RedApp is faster, cleaner, and built around how our customers actually live and bank. Whether you are managing your finances, making transfers, or accessing new features, the experience is now sharper than ever,” Ladipo said.

United Bank for Africa is one of Africa’s largest financial institutions, employing about 25,000 people and serving more than 45 million customers globally. The bank operates in 20 African countries as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates, offering retail, commercial and institutional banking services while promoting financial inclusion through technology-driven solutions.